Lower School Curriculum

Our Early Years Program, rooted in Montessori philosophy, provides children with the time and space to explore, create, and develop independence.

In our mixed-age Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, children ages 3 to 5 learn alongside one another, fostering collaboration, leadership, and empathy. Through hands-on materials, purposeful choice, and small-group learning, they develop concentration, creativity, problem-solving skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

Kindergarten serves as a bridge between early childhood and the elementary years for children ages 5 to 6. While students continue to engage with familiar Montessori materials, they are also introduced to new learning experiences that strengthen early literacy and numeracy, support physical development, and encourage increasingly abstract thinking. This important transition nurtures both academic readiness and social-emotional growth, ensuring that students enter first grade with confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for future learning.

Literacy is a fundamental human right and the gateway to all learning. A strong literacy foundation empowers students to think critically, express themselves clearly, and engage deeply with ideas across disciplines. Through reading, writing, speaking, and listening, students develop the confidence and voice to communicate their thinking, connect with others, and make sense of the world around them.

Our English Language Arts program is aligned with the AERO English Language Arts Standards. Teachers use a balanced, research-based approach that combines explicit instruction in foundational reading and writing skills—including phonics, decoding, vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension—with rich opportunities for authentic literacy experiences. Because reading and writing are learned rather than acquired naturally, intentional instruction is essential to developing proficient, confident learners.

Students grow as both readers and writers through meaningful, authentic experiences. As readers, they explore a wide range of high-interest texts that reflect their interests while also engaging with increasingly complex works that expand their knowledge, strengthen comprehension, and enrich their academic vocabulary. As writers, they craft purposeful pieces for authentic audiences, learning to communicate ideas with clarity, creativity, and intention.

In every classroom, students participate in mini-lessons, independent reading and writing, storytelling, and guided and shared literacy experiences that deepen their phonics knowledge, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. They explore narrative, informational, and persuasive genres across disciplines, developing both strong literacy skills and a confident voice. Purposeful feedback and ongoing reflection help each child grow as a thoughtful reader, writer, and communicator.

Mathematical thinking is about more than learning procedures and formulas; it is about developing the mindset and habits of a mathematician. It fosters strategic thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills that are essential for success both in school and beyond. At Graded, students are encouraged to see themselves as capable mathematicians who make sense of problems, take risks, persevere through challenges, and learn from mistakes.

Our Mathematics Program is aligned with the AERO Mathematics Standards. Teachers design engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that build deep conceptual understanding through exploration, communication, and collaboration. Students are encouraged to make meaningful connections between mathematical ideas, real-world situations, and other disciplines, including science and social studies.

In the classroom, students use hands-on materials, test strategies, and discuss multiple approaches to solving problems. They engage in mathematical practices such as constructing arguments, modeling real-world situations, using appropriate tools strategically, and attending to precision. Through these experiences, students develop confidence, mathematical fluency, and the ability to apply their thinking in new and meaningful contexts.

Music education cultivates creativity, focus, and collaboration while deepening students’ cultural awareness and emotional intelligence. Making music together strengthens community and provides joyful, expressive opportunities for every learner.

Aligned with the National Core Music Standards, instruction emphasizes creating, performing, responding, and connecting. Students develop both technical and expressive skills as they explore rhythm, melody, harmony, and form through a variety of musical genres and cultural traditions.

In the classroom, students sing, play instruments, compose, improvise, and perform, building confidence and musicianship through authentic musical experiences. Performances throughout the year celebrate student learning and strengthen connections within the school community. Movement, ensemble work, and reflection foster collaboration, creativity, and an appreciation for diverse musical traditions. Through these experiences, students grow as independent, expressive musicians who understand how music connects people, cultures, and ideas across time and place.

Physical Education promotes well-being, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for physical activity. By developing physical literacy, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and motivation to participate in a wide variety of physical activities while embracing the values of fairness, perseverance, and respect.

Aligned with the Alberta Physical Education and Wellness Standards, our program balances skill development, fitness, and reflection. Through individual and team activities, students develop movement skills, build confidence, and strengthen their ability to collaborate, compete respectfully, and make healthy choices.

Each class includes warm-ups, explicit skill instruction, active practice, and opportunities for teamwork and play. Students reflect on concepts such as goal setting, resilience, and sportsmanship, making meaningful connections between physical activity and social-emotional well-being. Through Physical Education, students grow not only as active participants but also as balanced individuals who understand the importance of caring for their bodies and minds.

Portuguese learning at Graded strengthens students’ ability to communicate, connect, and engage with Brazilian culture and the broader Portuguese-speaking world. For native speakers, it supports identity development and the growth of academic language. For students learning Portuguese as an additional language, it fosters intercultural understanding, meaningful communication, and global citizenship.

Aligned with the BNCC Portuguese Language Standards, instruction integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening across a wide range of genres, purposes, and authentic contexts. Learning experiences are often connected to interdisciplinary units, allowing students to apply their language skills in meaningful ways.

In the classroom, students participate in mini-lessons, shared and independent reading and writing, storytelling, language study, and collaborative discussions. They engage with both literary and informational texts to strengthen comprehension, expand vocabulary, and develop effective written and oral communication. Whether deepening their home language or acquiring Portuguese as an additional language, students build confidence, curiosity, and the skills to communicate clearly, thoughtfully, and empathetically in a multilingual world.

Science education fosters intellectual curiosity, innovation, and a sense of responsibility for the world around us. It empowers students to ask questions, investigate phenomena, and design solutions to real-world challenges, developing both a sense of wonder and an understanding of how human actions impact the environment and society.

Our Science Program is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which emphasize scientific inquiry, engineering design, and the integration of science, technology, and engineering practices. Learning is interdisciplinary, with meaningful connections to literacy, mathematics, and social studies through hands-on exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving.

In the classroom, students think and work as scientists and engineers. They ask questions, plan and conduct investigations, build models, analyze data, and use evidence to construct explanations and defend their thinking. They also learn to evaluate information, communicate their findings, and collaborate to solve complex problems. Through these experiences, students develop deep conceptual understanding, critical thinking skills, and the ability to apply scientific knowledge in new and meaningful contexts.

Social Studies helps students understand the world and their place within it. By exploring history, geography, civics, economics, and culture, students learn to make informed, ethical decisions for the common good and to become responsible, compassionate citizens in a diverse and interconnected world.

Our Social Studies Program is aligned with the AERO Social Studies Standards and features rich, interdisciplinary units that connect naturally with literacy, mathematics, and science. Learning is inquiry-driven and grounded in themes of sustainability, equity, inclusion, and diversity, enabling students to apply their knowledge in authentic and meaningful ways.

In the classroom, students ask questions, conduct research, analyze evidence, and engage in thoughtful discussions to construct reasoned arguments and communicate their ideas. They evaluate sources, consider multiple perspectives, and take informed action within their communities. Through collaborative inquiry and reflection, students develop global awareness, civic responsibility, and a strong sense of agency—essential qualities for lifelong learning, leadership, and active participation in an ever-changing world.

The visual arts nurture creativity, self-expression, empathy, and critical thinking. Through creating and responding to art, students learn to observe closely, communicate ideas, and connect their own experiences with diverse cultures, perspectives, and ways of seeing the world. Artistic expression fosters imagination and confidence while enriching learning across disciplines.

Our Visual Arts Program is aligned with the National Core Arts Standards, guiding students through the artistic processes of creating, presenting, responding, and connecting.

In the classroom, students explore a wide range of media and techniques through activities such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and design. They investigate the work of artists from different cultures and time periods, discuss artistic intent and meaning, and reflect on both their creative process and finished work. Through exhibitions and other opportunities to share their creations with authentic audiences, students develop technical skills, creative confidence, and pride in their unique artistic voice.